As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, the festive atmosphere in the capital grew increasingly vibrant. Dragon boat teams from both civilian circles and military camps had long begun their fervent training sessions.
Dragon boat practice had to be conducted on the river, and during this time, young masters and ladies from noble families would visit the riverside for outings, seizing the opportunity to catch an early glimpse of the dragon boat teams. While the civilian-trained rowers attracted their own following among commoners, the most popular sights remained the teams from the Four Elite Armies, the Imperial City Guard, and the Imperial Guard.
The six military teams each occupied different river sections, employing distinct training methods. As tall, robust soldiers sweated profusely during drills, leisurely young nobles watched from both banks. The young men observed openly, while the ladies either flew kites or gathered herbs—always finding an elegant pretext before stealing covert glances at the rowers.
Previously, Wei Rao had only enjoyed unrestrained freedom near the Secluded Manor, maintaining a dignified facade before capital nobility, thus never having visited the riverside for such spectacles. Now things were different—Lu Changning had invited her for a riverside outing combining horseback riding with watching the teams train. Wei Rao gladly accepted, though she made clear in advance she wouldn't observe the Divine Martial Army's training session.
Astride a black steed, Lu Changning couldn't resist asking: "Your Highness, what exactly did my eldest brother do to offend you that you hold such disregard for him?"
Beneath the brilliant sunshine, Wei Rao adjusted her veiled hat while leisurely admiring the scenery beyond the city walls, answering with a light laugh: "His offenses are too numerous to count, so let's not speak of him."
"Very well," Lu Changning chuckled, "I shan't mention him then. Truthfully, I didn't come for eldest brother either. This year's dragon boat race will be led by my second brother—eldest brother isn't participating. Perhaps he hasn't even come today."
Wei Rao thought of the Lu Family's second young master, Lu Ya, now twenty-one years old and scheduled to wed in early autumn.
Their two steeds trotted side byside along the riverbank, guards following at a distance.
Upon reaching the Shun River outskirts, they saw dragon boat teams conducting formation drills at regular intervals along the watercourse.
Uncertain which section housed the Divine Martial Army team, Lu Changning remained unhurried—the day's primary purpose was the outing itself, with observing her second brother's training being merely incidental.
"Is that black-uniformed team ahead from the Flying Eagle Army?"
After riding further along the bank past sparsely-attended teams, they encountered one flanked by crowds of young spectators from both noble and common backgrounds.
"With such a crowd, it must be the Flying Eagle Army! Sister Rao, shall we go closer?"
"Let's."
With seven or eight days remaining until the festival, the Flying Eagle Army had five teams practicing simultaneously.
The path ahead grew crowded, so Wei Rao and Lu Changning stopped where the bank was clearer. They watched five teams lining up for departure.
Each dragon boat carried thirteen crew members: one standing commander and twelve seated rowers.
Wei Rao's gaze quickly settled on one particular commander.
He was a strikingly handsome man with jade-like features, appearing no older than twenty. Like the others, he wore the Flying Eagle Army's uniform—a black robe embroidered with a soaring goshawk. Among the five standing commanders, he was the youngest, most distinguished in appearance, and carried an exceptionally outstanding presence, radiating the same proud, soaring spirit as his army's avian emblem."That's Li Wei, the third young master of the Marquis of Zhennan's household," Lu Changning introduced to Wei Rao. As a young lady from the Duke of Yingguo's Manor, she frequently interacted with the other three elite military families and was almost thoroughly familiar with the situations of the Han family of the Soaring Dragon Army, the Qi Family of the Valiant Tiger Army, and the Li family of the Flying Eagle Army.
Wei Rao smiled and said, "He's quite handsome. I wonder about his capabilities."
Lu Changning immediately responded, "I heard from my grandfather that among the Li family's younger generation, Li Wei is the most promising. However, he currently lacks composure and needs more experience."
As soon as she finished speaking, five dragon boats set off, racing toward where Wei Rao and the others were standing.
A long red silk ribbon stretched across the river, marking the finish line.
The dragon boat team personally commanded by Li Wei was naturally the Flying Eagle Army's most promising contender for victory, quickly pulling ahead of the other four teams.
As the dragon boat drew nearer, Li Wei, dressed in black, cut a dashing figure. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing two strong and powerful arms.
Wei Rao remembered that Li Wei had not participated in the dragon boat race three years ago.
Spectators on both banks were cheering for Li Wei, who was intently observing the performance of his teammates. Suddenly, a flash of snow-white and brilliant red caught his eye. Li Wei turned his head and saw two magnificent horses standing nearby. On the back of the snow-white steed sat a woman dressed in red riding attire. The river breeze rustled, lifting the veil of her wide-brimmed hat.
The veil was sheer, faintly revealing the woman's features—fair skin and red lips, undoubtedly a beauty.
Even through the veil, she stirred his heart. What if the hat were removed, revealing her true appearance...
Wei Rao noticed him staring unabashedly at her. She smiled and said to Lu Changning, "Let's move forward."
Lu Changning shot a fierce glare at Li Wei. Although he had sharp eyes to recognize the princess's beauty, Lu Changning hadn't given up on making the princess her sister-in-law. Li Wei's behavior was nothing short of disrespectful toward her future sister-in-law.
The white horse carried the beauty forward. Li Wei tilted his head, following her figure with his gaze until the dragon boat reached the finish line. Only then did he suddenly snap back to reality. He immediately ordered the dragon boat to dock, instructed the others to continue training, and then leaped onto his horse, galloping after the beauty. He feared that if he missed her today, he might never find her again!
Wei Rao and Lu Changning were merely trotting along on their horses, but Li Wei urged his horse forward at full speed and soon caught up with them.
He rode past the two women, and no one paid him any mind. But when he turned his horse around to approach Wei Rao, four guards from the Princess Manor immediately blocked his path.
Li Wei deduced that Wei Rao must be of considerable status. He quickly retreated two steps, sitting upright on his horse, and cupped his hands in salute toward Wei Rao. "Young lady, I am Li Wei, from the Marquis of Zhennan's household. Earlier, while training with the dragon boat on the river, I inadvertently noticed you watching from the shore. However, you left before we could determine the winner. Could it be that you found the Flying Eagle Army's dragon boat performance unimpressive?"
Wei Rao replied lightly, "As the commander, you were distracted during the race, acting so perfunctorily. How could that possibly retain our interest?"
Li Wei's handsome face instantly flushed red. After an awkward moment, he pleaded, "I admit my mistake. Please, young lady, return and watch us compete once more."
Wei Rao remained silent. Lu Changning snorted, lifted her veil, and glared at Li Wei. "What's so impressive about the Flying Eagle Army's dragon boat? Third Young Master, you'd better hurry back and continue your training. Last time, the Flying Eagle Army placed fifth in the dragon boat race. This year, with you participating, let's hope you don't end up in last place."She recognized Li Wei, and naturally, Li Wei recognized her too. Upon hearing her words, he tightened his reins, his gaze fixed on Wei Rao as he asked, "Are you also a young lady of the Lu Family?"
If she truly were, even if she were as beautiful as a celestial maiden, Li Wei would disdain to pursue her further.
Wei Rao shook her head.
Overjoyed, Li Wei extended another invitation to her.
Wei Rao replied, "Thank you for your kind offer, Third Young Master, but we must hurry to watch the other teams. We shall save the splendid sight of the Flying Eagle Army for the Dragon Boat Race."
She urged her horse forward, and Li Wei followed reluctantly, unwilling to part. "Might I ask which family the young lady belongs to? Perhaps your household has ties with our Marquis of Zhennan's estate."
Wei Rao did not answer, and Lu Changning had no intention of telling him either.
So Li Wei continued to follow them.
Ahead lay the Dragon Boat team of the Imperial Guard. Qi Zhongkai was on the shore reprimanding a guard who had made a mistake. Spotting Wei Rao's white horse and her striking red riding attire from afar, Qi Zhongkai no longer doubted her identity. He kicked the guard aside, ordered his attendant to bring his horse, and then rode up to meet Wei Rao.
"What a refined interest you have, Princess," Qi Zhongkai boomed in his resonant voice. "Have you come today to watch our drills?"
At this, Li Wei finally learned the beauty's identity. There was only one princess in the entire capital.
Could she be Lu Zhuo's former wife, the fourth daughter of the Wei family whom Lu Zhuo had repeatedly tried to win over but failed?
The beauty of Li Guiren had long been the talk of the capital, rumored to be an exceedingly enchanting woman. Wei Rao, too, was quite renowned for her looks, though not always in the most flattering terms—names like "little vixen" or "seductive peony" were often whispered. But Li Wei believed these were merely slanders spread by women jealous of her beauty. If Wei Rao could captivate Lu Zhuo so deeply, she must possess her own unique charm.
Far from minding that Wei Rao had been married before, Li Wei grew even more intrigued. If he could win the favor of a woman whom even Lu Zhuo had failed to attain, wouldn't that prove he was superior to Lu Zhuo?
"So it's the Princess. My apologies for the disrespect," Li Wei said with sincere contrition. Yet, despite his apology, he showed no intention of withdrawing.
Only then did Qi Zhongkai notice the follower by the princess's side. His tiger-like eyes widened as he demanded, "Why aren't you drilling with the Flying Eagle Army? What are you doing following the Princess?"
Li Wei had, of course, heard of Qi Zhongkai's rejected marriage proposal to the princess. He chuckled lightly and retorted, "Brother Qi, haven't you also abandoned the Imperial Guard to come see the Princess?"
Qi Zhongkai understood—this greenhorn Li Wei actually dared to covet the princess?
"I am who I am, and you are who you are. Get back now, or don't blame me for being rude!"
"Come on then, who's afraid of you?"
Li Wei was highly skilled in martial arts. Though Qi Zhongkai was two or three times his size, Li Wei was undaunted.
So Qi Zhongkai dismounted to teach Li Wei a lesson.
Wei Rao and Lu Changning exchanged a glance, then urged their horses farther away before turning back to watch the two spar.
Both were direct descendants of the four great families of the Upper Four Armies. Qi Zhongkai had once topped the imperial martial examinations, and Li Wei was no slouch either. They exchanged dozens of moves, yet neither could gain the upper hand. Their duel soon drew a crowd, and the reason for their competition quickly spread among the onlookers—they were vying for the princess's favor!
Wei Rao watched with great amusement when suddenly a commotion arose in the crowd. By the time she noticed, a black steed had already arrived at her side.
She glanced at him briefly, then turned back to the match as if nothing had happened.
Lu Zhuo, clad in the crimson official robes of the Divine Martial Army, stood beside Wei Rao. Both in red, they looked quite like a matched pair.Withdrawing his gaze from Wei Rao's face, Lu Zhuo smiled warmly and asked Qi Zhongkai and Li Wei, who were locked in combat, "How much longer will it take for you two to determine the outcome?"
Qi Zhongkai, being very familiar with him, immediately recognized Lu Zhuo's voice. Distracted, he glanced over, giving Li Wei the opportunity to seize his iron arm and attempt to throw him to the ground. With Lu Zhuo's arrival, Qi Zhongkai had lost interest in the fight. He tightly wrapped his arms around Li Wei's shoulders, pulling them both down to the grass.
What a joke—if he were easily defeated by Li Wei, how could he ever serve as an imperial guard?
After rolling half a turn on the ground, Qi Zhongkai sprang up, dusted off his trousers, and dashed away.
Only then did Li Wei notice Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo sat atop his horse, looking down at the young man on the grass. "If Third Young Master wishes to spar, how about I accompany you for a match?"
Li Wei's expression shifted slightly.
At that moment, Wei Rao let out a sharp exclamation, turned her horse around, and galloped away.
Seeing this, Li Wei laughed heartily. "Enough. I sparred with Brother Qi to showcase my skills in front of the princess. Now that she has left, what use is there in defeating Brother Lu?"
With that, Li Wei brushed the dust from his robes, mounted his horse with a pleased expression, and leisurely took his leave.
The onlooking commoners erupted in good-natured laughter, amused that Lu Zhuo had wanted to impress the princess but was given no opportunity.
Lu Changning looked at her elder brother with sympathy.
Lu Zhuo, appearing as serene and composed as a clear breeze under the moon, captivated the young maidens present, making it difficult for them to look away.
Author's Note: Lu Changning: "Elder Brother, you truly have remarkable composure."
Lu Zhuo smiled faintly, but when no one was around later, he spat out a mouthful of blood in bitter frustration.
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